Dollar Store Items That Can Save Your Life!
Dollar store items and Utah winter life hacks that can save your life!
Driving with ice or snow on your car is dangerous. We all think we will be fine but it results in many crashes and deaths on our roads here in Utah every year. Make sure you have the tools to get the ice and snow completely off of your car before driving. You can get a long scraper with a brush on it at many dollar stores. It is worth being prepared for snow and ice, otherwise you get frustrated and feel rushed so that you are not late and that is just a recipe for disaster.
Most people know to have a scraper, warm up their car for a few mins before scraping and leaving and to have a blanket or two in the car. But there are a few more things you can do and a few things you can buy at the dollar store to make sure you are safe and feel uber prepared.
Keep something to drink and eat packed in your car. You never know when you might need it. Just make sure you pack something that can last for a bit without going bad. (I have seen all of these items at the dollar store.)
Pack an extra hat, gloves and big garbage bag to use for insulation from rain, snow etc. Have a flare and flashing flashlight with batteries. If you slid off the road, had an emergency or you just got stuck without gas, light will be seen faster than you yelling or honking. Be prepared with these simple and inexpensive items, could save your life.
Here are some other Items that you might not think of grabbing at the dollar store to be prepared:
1. SHAVING CREAM
Eliminate car window fog by applying a thin layer of cheap shaving cream to the inside of your windows and wiping clean, as it contains the same ingredients as a defogger. This simple trick ensures clear windows and prevents fogging during car rides.
2. HAND SANITIZER
This one you will have to keep on your key ring or in your gas cap area. Prevent car lock freezing and stuck keys in low temperatures by applying a small amount of hand sanitizer on your keys; the alcohol in the sanitizer helps melt ice within the locks. Additionally, spraying WD-40 on your locks can be an effective measure to avoid ice buildup and ensure smoother functionality during cold weather. Keep your keys and locks protected with these simple solutions.
3. LARGE TUBE SOCKS
If you are lacking traction with your nice shoes while stuck in the snow, use an old pair of socks! You can keep them in the trunk or in the glove compartment. When needed, simply grab the socks and place them over your shoes to enhance traction and make pushing easier.
4. KITTY LITTER
There are several uses here. You can use kitty litter to increase traction in winter weather especially on ice. If you buy a 20 pound bag of it it can weigh the vehicle down and create better traction that way as well. You can also use it to absorb smells! Just fill one of those socks you already have in your car and fill it with litter and put it near the area of odor. After you clean up the mess or spill, just leave the kitty litter sock overnight and the smell should be gone.
Bonus! Use your cars floormats to get you unstuck and out of the snow!
Your floor mats are perfect to used under your tires if you need more traction to get out of a snowbank. You can also use the kitty litter or you can also use salt for more traction or to melt ice.
It is never fun to get stuck in winter weather. Just be prepared and stay safe!
Southern Utah is exploding in population and if you have ventured to Costco lately, you know it's CRAZY. It doesn't even matter when you go anymore, it is still a madhouse. I went on a Wednesday at 2 p.m. and I couldn't believe how many people apparently don't work in the middle of the day.
I use to go in just before lunch and that got busy fast so I thought if I went later after everyone's lunch break that would be better. Nope. Also, I tried Tuesday morning right as they opened. Holy cow there was a parking lot full of people waiting to go in like it was Black Friday in the 90's Insane.
There are people waiting in line for the door to open????
I am not sure how big box stores decide when an area is ready to support another one but NOW IS THE TIME!
On our social media for our radio station Cat Country Utah, we posed the question, "What should we get next in Southern Utah? People could vote for any of the 3 following
COSTCO: 
SAM’ S CLUB: 
WINCO: 
With more than 180 votes Sam's Club won the vote! Not how I thought that would pan out at all. Here are some of the texts and reasons that were sent in:
Rob G- Want a Costco in cedar but it won't happen for awhile lol
Samantha D- I have been to Winco, Sam's Club and Costco. And they are all great. But, different.
If I had to choose, I would ask for a Sam's Club. It's basically an EXTRA FANCY Costco!!
I have been to the Sam's Club in Bentonville, Arkansas and it's AWESOME! (That's the headquarters of Wal-mart and Sam's).
They are the test market for Walmart and Sam's.
Leah- When we lived in Ogden a year ago we had WinCo Costco and Sam's club we had a membership to Sam's club and Costco Sam's club is awesome they have different things in Costco does. WinCo is wonderful their prices are awesome so either one of those would be wonderful I don't think we need another Costco here.
All I know is that we need something else in the southern part of this state because Costco be crazy everyday. The only time I didn't get claustrophobia lately was 8:15 at night and I was only going in for a few items and out quick. So maybe I'll try 8pm next time and see if that works for me.
What is your vote? let me know @ aaronee@townsquaemedia.com
Aaronee LOVES the country lifestyle. She has a great little farm with Alpacas, goats, dogs, cats and chickens! So yes, some.....stuff on her boots. ;) Aaronee's playlist has everything from Reba & Brooks & Dunn to Rascal Flatts & Garth to Miranda Lambert & Laney Wilson to Kane Brown & Morgan Wallen. She loves them all. ♥ Get her some chips and salsa or tater tots and a root beer float and she is set. She loves chatting on social media so make sure to hit her up on the Cat Country Utah Facebook page!
Businesses in Utah, like Walmart and Target, are grappling with a major issue: theft. Customers using the "five-finger discount" are causing significant financial headaches for both small and large companies.
Just last year, stores across the United States faced a staggering $112.1 billion in losses due to retail theft. To put that into perspective, imagine having $112.1 billion – you could purchase over 112,000 million dollar homes in Southern Utah! That's a substantial amount of money.
If you've been shopping at Walmart, TJ Max or Target in Utah, you've probably noticed certain items locked behind cases, requiring staff assistance for purchase. Video games and perfume are common examples, secured behind plexiglass.
Now, even playing cards are often tucked away. But here's the kicker – there's a new addition to the list of secured items, and it's a lot stranger than Pokemon cards or the latest Tom Ford perfume.
Believe it or not, it's underwear. Yep, theft is now prompting businesses to lock up underwear due to its increasing pilferage.
More and more items are being placed behind plexiglass by businesses needing to safeguard their investments.
It's usually the items that can be easily placed in socks, pockets, hoodies or in the waistband of your pants. Theft makes the price go up for those who actually work hard and try to be good decent people. Please report theft to the local authorities and the store management.
These Are The 8 Most Stolen Items From Walmart in Utah
What gets stolen the most at Utah Walmart's?
It makes all of our prices go up. It get my blood boiling. I'll breathe and you can read. Here is the list of the top 8:
- - Cosmetics
Y'know, there are some real good drugstore brands out there, but swiping stuff like lipstick, perfume, mascara, compacts, and hair dye, isn't the way to go.
2 - Small Electronics
When it comes to small electronics, from basic watches to fancy smartphones and headphones, folks seem to eye those a lot.
3 - Toys
Toys like Hot Wheels or Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, and Magic the Gathering cards disappear a lot.
4 - Over the Counter Medication
Now, for some reason, people nab pain relievers the most, followed by laxatives and pet meds. You'd think with self check out people wouldn't be so embarrassed to buy laxatives, ooo but there is a camera at self check out. hahahah
5 - Food
Interesting fact- packaged meat is reported as the most shoplifted item in America. Also on the list is baby food, deli stuff, alcohol, and noodle packets.
6 - Intimate Items
At the top of the lists mentioning the stolen goods at Walmart are things like pregnancy tests, condoms, underwear and adult toys are apparently top targets.
7 - Apparel and Accessories
You won't believe it, but underwear gets swiped a lot from Walmart, along with shoes, hats, handbags, and sunglasses.
8 - Jewelry
I thought rings would be high on the list but apparently earrings, necklaces and bracelets take the top spots.
A lot of times when there is a top ten list of amazing places in the state, Southern Utah is a little overlooked. This time we have 2 Steakhouses in the top 10!
A great steak is all about the perfect combination of quality, preparation, and personal taste. If it all comes together it's amazing. When you can visit a business that can serve it to you, even better. LET'S GO SOUTHERN UTAH!
Here are the Southern Utah steakhouses that scored in the top 10 on the Best Things UT website!
Anasazi Steakhouse, St. George, UT
"Offering different steaks at a variety of prices, Anasazi Steakhouse in St. George uses what are called “hot stones” to cook their meet. Essentially, slabs of volcanic rock are heated in a special oven for 6-8 hours before they are delivered to your table with your entrée selection. There, you have ultimate control over the cooking of your meat. Taking a unique approach to steak, the restaurant is a must-do for meat lovers."
Rusty’s Ranch House, Cedar City, UT
"Cedar City is one of those places you go when you want to get away from it all without actually getting away from any modern conveniences. In accordance with that vibe, Rusty’s Ranch House makes you feel like you’re really at a “Ranch House,” enjoying the freshest, down-home cooking possible. Offering four different steaks from $19 to $27, the restaurant is famous for attracting meat-a-holics from across Utah."
You can check out the complete list here: https://bestthingsut.com/steakhouses/
How do you get the perfect steak? Let's break it down.
Firstly, the cut matters a lot. Different cuts offer various flavors and textures. For instance, a ribeye boasts marbling that melts during cooking, making it tender and flavorful. Filet mignon is leaner but incredibly tender. Then there's the New York strip with a balanced fat-to-meat ratio.
Next, quality is key. Opt for well-marbled steaks as the marbling—those fine streaks of fat throughout the meat—ensures juiciness and adds flavor when cooked. Fat = flavor.
The cooking method is crucial too. Whether you're grilling, pan-searing, or broiling, getting that perfect sear on the outside while maintaining the desired doneness inside is the goal. And speaking of doneness, everyone has their preference—ranging from rare to well-done—so ensuring the steak reaches the ideal temperature for your liking is essential.
Seasoning plays a vital role. Salt and pepper are the classics, but experimenting with different rubs or marinades can elevate the taste. Some prefer the simplicity of just salt and pepper to let the natural flavor of the meat shine, while others enjoy the complexity of various seasonings.
Lastly, resting the steak after cooking is often overlooked but equally important. Letting it sit for a few minutes allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a juicier steak when you cut into it.
Ultimately, a great steak is a balance of quality, preparation, and personal taste preferences that make it a delightful experience to savor and enjoy!
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